Title: Promoting strategic entrepreneurship at the firm level: a case study on training staff within a large organisation

Authors: Matthew Lynch; Uladzimir Kamovich; Martin Steinert

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, Østfold University College, Halden, Fredrikstad, Norway; Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Ålesund, Gjøvik, Norway ' Faculty of Engineering, Østfold University College, Halden, Fredrikstad, Norway ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Ålesund, Gjøvik, Norway

Abstract: The entrepreneurial mindset of staff is considered a key strategic asset for firms. This case study examines how aspiring leaders were trained to be more innovative using predominantly design thinking methodology as a pedagogy. The case focuses on narratives as volunteered by participants about how they applied their training in their organisational roles. The article describes how the training was run, and provides insights into how others might lead similar training. The outcomes from the training are viewed through the lens of strategic entrepreneurship. The lens was applied to explain how the training generated a more entrepreneurial mindset amongst participants, improved their entrepreneurial leadership skills, and affected the organisational culture. The article also highlights the limitations of only training staff while leaving existing organisational structures in place.

Keywords: design thinking training; organisational training; entrepreneurial mindset; strategic entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial leadership; entrepreneurial culture.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2019.105495

International Journal of Product Development, 2019 Vol.23 No.4, pp.309 - 325

Received: 19 Jan 2019
Accepted: 08 Dec 2019
Published online: 02 Mar 2020 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article